What Is The Importance Of Fluoride For Your Teeth?

We have all heard about the positive effects of fluoride on our dental health and strength of our teeth

. Fluoride can be found in the food we eat, the water we drink and even in the air we breathe. Along with calcium and phosphorus, fluoride boosts strength and durability of our teeth, as well as ensures normal development of our bones and growth of our hair and nails. The importance of fluoride for preventing tooth decay was discovered decades ago and was classified into two types of fluorides - topical and systemic. Fluoride plays an essential role in protecting and strengthening teeth. Most tooth enamel begins with a very high concentration of fluoride in its outer layers, but the fluoride can dissolve over time. Whether ingested through fluoridated beverages or applied topically with toothpaste, rinses or treatments, replenishing fluoride is one of the best ways to strengthen tooth enamel and help it to resist acids that can lead to cavity production.

Benefits of Fluoride

Fluoride is a naturally occurring compound that has been proven to effectively reduce the prevalence of dental caries and tooth decay. Approximately 170 million people in the United States use fluoridated water provided by their public water authorities. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), widespread availability of various sources of fluoride has greatly diminished tooth decay rates in America and abroad.

One of the main benefits of fluoride is increasing durability of tooth enamel and making the enamel less sensitive to the influence of sugar, acids and other dental enemies we consume with the food. Fluoride slows down formation and growth of plaque and dental calculus. Additionally, fluoride is also an important element for formation of healthy tooth enamel, which is why fluoride treatment is frequently recommended to young children.

In addition, fluoride keeps teeth stronger to help prevent initiation of dental caries and tooth decay resulting from acid contained in sugars and the breakdown of carbohydrates. It also provides a therapeutic output in which fluoride re-mineralizes areas of the teeth that are weakened by acid.

Types of Fluoride

Your dentist will help to determine if you are receiving an appropriate amount of fluoride in your diet. If you are not, your dentist can develop a proper treatment plan to provide you with adequate fluoride. Fluorides come in two basic forms - Topical and systemic. Topical fluorides strengthen teeth by providing better resistance to decay. This often includes toothpastes and home mouth rinses, as well as gels, foams and rinses incorporated during your dental visits.

Systemic fluorides include water fluoridation, tablets, drops or lozenge dietary fluoride supplements. Not all public or private water sources contain ADA recommended levels of fluoridation. Be sure to check with your dentist in Poughkeepsie, NY for more information about the fluoridation level in your community's water. Dietary fluoride supplements may be recommended for children between the ages of six months and sixteen who live in communities without fluoridated water and are available by prescription only.

If you have concerns about fluoridation and want to avoid fluorosis, talk to your Poughkeepsie dentist today. Fluoride levels should provide an effective level of fluoride that will continue to reduce the incidence of tooth decay in children and adults of all ages, while minimizing the rate of dental fluorosis.

by: Gen Wright

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